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Sending My Child Back to Child Care: A Decision-Making Tool for Families

Many parents are wondering if and when they should send their children back to child care. This is not an easy choice and it will look different from family to family. Some families may not have a choice due to lack of work flexibility or care options.

This tool gives you a way to reflect on what makes the most sense for your family. There is no “right” or “wrong” choice. Your family is unique and your situation may change over time. There is just the choice that fits best for your family right now. 


You’ll be asked to think about what your options are, how important different factors are, and how likely certain outcomes are. At the end, you'll see a summary based on your answers. If you are co-parenting, it may be helpful for each partner to complete the tool and use the results to inform your discussion.